By Margaret Anderson, Global Missions Coordinator • BMA Global
On February 22, churches across the BMA family will unite for World Missions Day, a day set aside to pray for the nations and support global missions. For many, missions can feel distant or abstract, but stories like Maria’s from the Philippines remind us that God is changing real lives in real places through the efforts of missionaries and national leaders.
When Danny and Rita Ballard arrived in the Philippines in 2013 to serve as missionaries, they had no idea how quickly their ministry would intersect with suffering. Just six months after they arrived, Rita was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. What followed was a journey of prayer, treatment, and eventual healing, a path that opened unexpected doors for the gospel.
With a burden for cancer patients, Rita began spending time in the outpatient oncology ward of St. Luke’s Hospital outside of Manila, listening to patients and sharing her own story of God’s faithfulness. Over time, she helped launch the Corridor of Hope, where cancer patients could find encouragement, community, and prayer during treatment.
One of those patients was a woman named Maria.
Maria was battling stage 4 breast cancer and carried a heavy history of hardship, bitterness, and disappointment. During their first conversations, Maria made it clear that she blamed God for her suffering. She was difficult to talk to and difficult for others to love.
But Rita sensed that God was opening a door.
Week after week, Rita made sure to be there when Maria received chemotherapy. She listened. She prayed. She shared Christ. Slowly, Maria’s heart began to soften. Her bitterness gave way to curiosity. Her hostility gave way to hope.
One afternoon, as Rita was explaining the gospel, Maria’s treatment concluded, and she had to leave. The conversation felt unfinished. Rita went home discouraged, but continued the conversation through text messages that evening. After several back-and-forth messages, Maria texted that she wanted to accept Christ as her Lord and Savior.
When the two women saw each other again, everything was different. Maria arrived for treatment with joy, raising her hands in praise to God while receiving chemotherapy. Her children could hardly believe the transformation: a mother once closed off and cold was now kind, joyful, and full of peace.
The change in Maria’s life drew the attention of others as well. A Bible study soon began in the missionaries’ apartment, involving Maria’s family, neighbors, and friends. Maria shared her faith boldly, leading her sister (also battling cancer), her nephew, and others to Christ. Her testimony spread far beyond the walls of the hospital.
Both Maria and her sister have since passed away, but their legacy of faith continues.
Stories like Maria’s are just one snapshot of how God is working through BMA Global missionaries and ChangeMakers around the world. They are reminders that the gospel reaches into places of suffering, that ordinary obedience can change families and communities, and that the Great Commission is still unfolding in real time.
As World Missions Day approaches, churches are invited to unite in prayer and giving so that stories like Maria’s can continue across new cities, new families, and new nations. Participation in World Missions Day strengthens frontline ministry around the world, from church planting and evangelism to leader development, discipleship, and relief work. Your church’s participation helps train new leaders, plant new churches, support missionaries, and expand gospel access globally. God is using ordinary people to reach the nations.
To learn more or get involved, visit bmaglobal.org or contact your church leadership to find out how your congregation can take part in World Missions Day.
